Rochat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

Similar to many French family names, the distinguished surname Rochat is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in France were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. As well as the names of the saints of the Christian Church, many of the most common French surnames are derived from personal names of Germanic origin. They derive from the language of the Visigoths, who controlled France between the mid-5th and early 8th centuries. The family name Roget is derived from the popular Old French given name Rogier, meaning famous spear.

Early Origins of the Rochat family

The surname Rochat was first found in Savoy (French: Savoie) in the Rhône-Alpes region of the French Alps, where the family has held a family seat since very early times.

Throughout the centuries this ancient family expanded, developed and grew in size and influence. Noble François Roget was awarded the title of Lord of Fesson in recognition of the large contribution to his region and had his nobility confirmed and recorded in 1620. The family moved and eventually branched out to Annecy.

Nobles among this acclaimed family were François Roget and Mathieu Roget who lived in Annecy in 1622. As reward for his extensive involvement in the social, political and cultural affairs of his community, Jacques Philibert was created Lord of Chollex and was mentioned in 1700. Among the famous members of this ancient family was Louis, Lord of Andruéjols and of Roziers. Through his marriage with Isabelle de La Fagette, heiress of the house of La Fagette, the family acquired wealth and fame.

Due to their great influence and participation in the affairs of Gévaudan, descendants of this ancient family were granted titles such as Lords of La Fagette and had their nobility confirmed and recorded till the end of the 17th century.

Early History of the Rochat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rochat research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1259, 1550, 1617, 1624, 1642, 1665, 1715 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Rochat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rochat Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Roget, Roger, Rogier, Rogey, Rogay, Rogger, Rauget, Rauger, Raugey and many more.

Early Notables of the Rochat family

Notable in the family name at this time was François Roger de Gaignières (1642-1715), French genealogist, antiquary and collector; Estienne Roger (1665-1722), a French printer and publisher who worked in the Netherlands; and Louis de...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rochat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rochat Ranking

In France, the name Rochat is the 4,115^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 1

Rochat migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Rochat Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

H Rochat, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1855 2

Rochat Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Julia Rochat, who settled in America, in 1907
Louise Rochat, aged 4, who landed in America, in 1907
Louis Rochat, aged 4, who immigrated to the United States, in 1908
Alfred Rochat, aged 17, who landed in America from La Sarraz, Switzerland, in 1908
Augustus F. Rochat, aged 26, who immigrated to America from Paris, France, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Rochat (post 1700) +

Philippe Rochat (b. 1953), Swiss chef, owner of the Restaurant de L'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland
Laurence Rochat (b. 1979), Swiss bronze medalist cross-country skier at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Franziska Rochat -Moser (1966-2002), Swiss long-distance runner
Alain Rochat (b. 1983), Canadian-born, Swiss footballer

Citations +

http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)